Context Clues
Main Idea or Central Idea
Misspelled words
Plot Diagram
Figurative Language
100
Death Valley National Park does not sound like a pleasant place, but people visit it every day and marvel at its beauty. One of the biggest attractions is a place called Artist's Palette. This is a line of hills that are colored by minerals. The hills are streaked with pink, red, purple, orange and green.
What is amazed by?
100
Watching roofers at work can be stressful. These workers clamber all over steep roofs to put down new shingles. Sometimes it seems as though they are not being cautious and might fall. However, most roofers have experience walking on steep, high surfaces, so they're actually quite skilled.
What is to tell about roofers at work?
100
We went to (their, there, they're) house for dinner.
What is their?
100
The time and place of a story.
What is setting?
100
Ants can be a problem in the summertime...and not just at picnics. People often come home from work and find a horde of curious ants gathered in the kitchen. They're looking for food, and they usually can find some! It's a good thing they can't get the refrigerator door open, or they'd really have a field day.
What is have an opportunity?
200
Tea is a drink usually made from plant leaves. People have brewed various kinds of teas since prehistoric times. It's made by steeping, or soaking, leaves, stems, or berries in hot water. The longer the tea ingredients stay in the hot water, the stronger the beverage's flavor will be.
What is mixed with hot water?
200
The students in sixth-grade Spanish have an amazing opportunity this year. The teacher has planned a trip to Spain. Students can raise money to cover their airfare by participating in a fund-raiser. They will have to sell cookies by the hundreds, but if they can do so, the trip will cost their parents less money!
What is to tell about how the trip will be paid?
200
We ordered hamburgers and you did (to, too, two).
What is too?
200
The conclusion of the story.
What is resolution?
200
Elizabeth Enright was a children's author from Wisconsin. One of her most-loved books was called The Saturdays. It was about two brothers and two sisters growing up in New York City during World War II. They made each Saturday special by pooling their allowances. Each kid got the whole amount once a month.
What is putting all together?
300
If you have a carpeted classroom, you may have noticed that sounds aren't as loud in this room as they are in an uncarpeted room. That's because carpet diminishes noise. It actually absorbs some of the sound waves and makes them weaker. That's why an empty room will echo.
What is lessens?
300
Different sports require different equipment. Some sports that include a lot of contact require pads and even helmets. Other sports are not as dangerous, so athletes don't need to wear much protection. Some sports, like tennis, don't require any protective equipment at all. It all depends on the risk of injury.
What is to tell about different requirements for sports?
300
Julia said (your, you're) invited to the party.
What is you're?
300
The most interesting or exciting part of the story.
What is climax or turning point?
300
Why is it that time stands still on the last day of school? Everyone's familiar with the feeling of watching the clock, waiting for the final bell to ring and release the students for the summer. It's exciting and frustrating the the same time...and when the bell finally rings, it's a great feeling!
What is feeling like time's passing slowly?
400
When the sun goes out after a thunderstorm, you can see drops of rain on the foliage in your yard. That's because leaves have flat surfaces, and raindrops are able to sit on them without falling to the ground. As the sun's rays work on the drops, they soon evaporate.
What is leaves?
400
If you had a choice between going on a hot air balloon ride and whitewater rafting, you might want to first find out if you're afraid of heights or of water. If you aren't afraid of either, your choice might be hard. If you have phobias about heights, you might have an easier choice!
What is to tell about certain phobias?
400
I want chocolate cake for (desert, dessert).
What is dessert?
400
The main character in a story.
What is the protagonist?
400
Although Kasey's family pays attention to their budget, they sometimes still have trouble making ends meet. By the end of each month, her mother and father are worried about money. Kasey babysits to make money to buy her own clothing. She also helps grow vegetables to cut down on grocery bills.
What is covering expenses?
500
Ryan's mom was extremely excited because after several years, she'd finally finished her novel. Writing the work of fiction had taken a lot of work, and then she'd had to find a literary agent.
What is related to books?
500
Riding a unicycle is very different from riding a bicycle. Both have pedals, but a unicycle is not steered with handlebars. People lean their bodies and use their hands to balance while they move the unicycle in different directions. It takes a lot of practice and skill to keep upright!
What is to tell about unicycles?
500
David had to go to the (principle's, principal's) office.
What is principal's?
500
The problem in the story.
What is the conflict?
500
Brendan decided t0 research his name, so he got a book from the library. Each name had a listing that described its origins...what country or language it came from. The listing also explained what the name meant. Brendan sat, spellbound, and read about his name, which was Irish and meant "prince."
What is under a magic charm?